Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2023	Jul. 03, 2022	Jul. 02, 2023	Jul. 03, 2022
Total revenues	$ 443,707	$ 435,422	$ 585,897	$ 573,529
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	173,669	173,357	282,539	283,076
Selling, general and administrative expenses	90,448	53,498	134,695	92,755
Costs of products sold	34,787	35,710	44,552	45,825
Depreciation and amortization	28,910	27,537	58,024	56,586
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets	2,550	98	4,985	(2,002)
Operating income	113,343	145,222	61,102	97,289
Interest expense, net	43,495	35,978	79,797	73,508
Loss on debt extinguishment	13,982	17,533	13,982	17,533
Other income, net	(2,261)	(722)	(3,093)	(1,410)
(Loss) income before income taxes	58,127	92,433	(29,584)	7,658
Income tax (benefit) expense	13,807	24,716	(4,045)	5,603
Net (loss) income	44,320	67,717	(25,539)	2,055
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(23,766)	(22,325)	(23,766)	(22,325)
Net loss attributable to Six Flags Entertainment Corporation	$ 20,554	$ 45,392	$ (49,305)	$ (20,270)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic (in shares)	83,379	84,992	83,293	85,594
Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Diluted (in shares)	83,796	85,242	83,293	85,594
Earnings per average common share outstanding: Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.53	$ (0.59)	$ (0.24)
Earnings per average common share outstanding: Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.53	$ (0.59)	$ (0.24)
Park admissions
Total revenues	$ 238,963	$ 241,777	$ 315,266	$ 314,764
Park food, merchandise and other
Total revenues	190,792	183,081	243,578	237,350
Sponsorship, international agreements and accommodations
Total revenues	$ 13,952	$ 10,564	$ 27,053	$ 21,415